Starr Sackstein

Starr Sackstein is a nationally recognized educator, author, and assessment reform advocate whose career focuses on transforming how schools measure and communicate student learning. With 16 years of experience as a high school English and journalism teacher, as well as roles as a lead humanities learner, publisher, and developmental editor, Sackstein brings extensive classroom experience to her work. She is a National Board–Certified educator and a Master Journalism Educator certified by the Journalism Education Association, where she served as New York State director. The Dow Jones News Fund honored Sackstein as a Special Recognition Adviser, and Education Update recognized her as an outstanding educator.

Sackstein is known for challenging traditional grading systems in education. In the book "Hacking Assessment: 10 Ways to Go Gradeless in a Traditional Grades School," she explores how to assess learning without grades, even in schools that use numbers, letters, GPAs, and report cards. In her school-based roles, Sackstein implemented gradeless teaching, focusing on skill development and growth. Her publications include "From Teacher to Leader: Finding Your Way as a First-Time Leader Without Losing Your Mind," "Teaching Mythology Exposed: Helping Teachers Create Visionary Classroom Perspective," and "Peer Feedback in the Classroom: Empowering Students to Be the Experts." The book "Student-Led Assessment" provides tools for students to compile and present evidence of learning through portfolios and student-led conferences, offering templates, rubrics, reflection questions, and activities.

Sackstein has been recognized as one of ASCD's Emerging Leaders and included in the inaugural class of ASCD's Champions in Education. She is a frequent speaker on topics such as blogging, journalism education, bring your own device policies, and assessment reform, which she also addressed in a TEDx talk titled "A Recovering Perfectionist's Journey to Give Up Grades." Sackstein has presented internationally on assessment reform and technology-enhanced language instruction.

As COO of Mastery Portfolio, Sackstein champions standards-based and competency-based learning, emphasizing metacognition and feedback throughout the formative assessment process. As the Massachusetts State Coordinator for Educators Rising, she advocates for bringing young people into the education profession. Sackstein also hosts the podcast "Learner-Centered Spaces," which focuses on empowering students and creating meaningful educational experiences. Through her consultancy work, she collaborates with educational institutions to design innovative curricula, revamp assessment practices, and foster dynamic learning environments that support creativity and critical thinking. Sackstein's work continues to influence how educators approach learning, feedback, and the purpose of education.